Healing was a major part of Jesus' ministry. Hence it is not surprising that, in sending out his apostles to proclaim the Kingdom of God, "he gave them power and authority to cure all diseases". We are Jesus' disciples in the modern world, sent by baptism and our membership of the Church to continue his ministry, including his healing ministry, until the end of time.

The Church has continued Jesus' healing ministry throughout the ages by building and running hospitals. These hospitals are often run by religious communities, especially communities of women religious, as one of their various ministries. In the Church, there are, moreover, religious communities specifically devoted to the care of the sick and the aged.

What is thus done on an institutional basis, can also be part of a personal ministry. In speaking of God's mercy, Pope Francis has stressed the corporal works of mercy, among which is the work of "comforting the sick".

Jesus' healing miracles extend beyond the healing of the physically or mentally sick. Reading the story of the Samaritan woman at the Well (John 4) as a healing story, for example, will give us a deeper insight into Jesus' ministry of healing.